Football Suffers Defeat on Homecoming

By Carter Schum | October 20, 2025

BJ Norman (#10) caught 3 passes on Saturday (10/18). 

Photo Credit: Liam Martin | The ASP

On Saturday, October 18th, the UAlbany Great Danes football team was bested by the Rhode Island Rams by a score of 51-17 during the annual homecoming game.

“You learn way more from your shortcomings than you do your successes,” said Interim Head Coach Jared Ambrose of his team's performance. 

The Great Danes would get the ball to start the game, however they were unable to do anything, in large part due to a big sack on second down by Ram defender Case Mankins. 

Rhode Island would be set up in great field possession for their first drive of the game, as Angel Sanchez would return the ball inside the Great Dane 25 yardline. The Great Danes’ defense would hold strong, as Dillon Dunathan would come up with a sack on 3rd down that forced the Rams to settle for a field goal to make the score 3-0 with 10:21 left in the first quarter. 

The Rams would take advantage of a UAlbany interception on the ensuing drive to start with good field position. Rhode Island would not be denied this time, as on 3rd and goal from inside the 1 yard line, Antwain Littleton Junior would find the endzone that, combined with a good extra point, gave the Rams a 10-0 lead with 3:15 to go in the first quarter. 

UAlbany would finally get some momentum on their 3rd possession, as a 3rd down catch by Kylen Austin and a big reception by BJ Norman gave the Great Danes their first good chance to score. Following a Ram sack, the Great Danes would get on the board via a 33 yard field goal from James Bozek to make the score 10-3 with 12:54 remaining in the 2nd quarter. 

Rhode Island would respond right back, as quarterback Devin Farrell would find a wide open Greg Gaines for a 32 yard touchdown to make the score 17-3 with 10:37 left in the 2nd quarter. 

Gaines would get his second long touchdown of the game, as he would corral a 42 yard deep ball from Farrell to put the Rams further in the driver's seat at 24-3 with 6:38 left in the 2nd quarter. 

The Great Danes’ offense would get another wave of energy going, as a pair of Griffin Wodell rushes and a big 3rd down conversion set the Great Danes up inside the 23 yard line. However, Jack Shields' pass intended for Jasiah Barron would be tipped at the line into the hands of a Rhode Island defender. 

The Rams would once again find the endzone as Connor Finer would catch a pass from Farell from in close to push the Rhode Island lead to 31-3 with 49 seconds left in the second quarter. 

UAlbany would be unable to do anything with the remaining time in the quarter, and the game went to halftime with the Rams up on the Great Danes 31-3. 

Despite the large deficit on the scoreboard, the yardage advantage for the Rams was only 286-228. 

The second half began with the Rams staying in cruise control, as Finer and Farrell would once again connect for a touchdown from inside the 10 yard line to make the score 38-3 with 9:04 remaining in the 3rd quarter. 

UAlbany would find the endzone for the first time, as Griffin Woodell would score an impressive 46 yard touchdown off of a screen pass from Shields that featured several broken tackles to make the score 38-10 with 6:05 to go in the 3rd quarter. 

The Great Danes would find the endzone for the second consecutive possession, as Aiden Semo would take a direct snap into the endzone following a defensive pass interference penalty to make the score 38-17 with 2:42 left in the 3rd quarter. 

UAlbany attempted to score on its 3rd consecutive drive and make the game closer, however a series of penalties and incompletions led to the Great Danes turning the ball over on downs. 

The Rams would score once again, as Terrence Campbell rushed in from the UAlbany 2 yardline with 13:12 remaining in the 4th quarter to make the score 45-17. 

Rhode Island would find the endzone one final time, as backup quarterback Conner Kenyon would find tight end Will Dixon for the score. However, the extra point kick by Garth White would hit the upright and fall no good, and the score would be pushed to 51-17 with 3:26 remaining. 

Things would go from bad to worse, as on a 4th down, a UAlbany fumble would be returned 47 yards by Leisaan Hibbert. A good extra point would make the score 58-17 with 51 seconds remaining in the game. 

One final Great Dane possession would see a couple of kneeldowns by Shields, as the Rams spoiled homecoming by winning 58-17. 

UAlbany fell to 1-6 with the loss, while the Rams would improve their record to 6-2. 

The Great Danes are back in action next Saturday ( 10/25 ) when they take on the Villanova Wildcats on the road. They return home on November 8th when they take on the Bryant Bulldogs.